Forreston easily handles Alden-Hebron 41-7 in playof action

Forreston receiver Robert DeVries was able to outrun the Alden-Hebron defender Bryce Lalor to have position to catch a long touchdown pass at the end of the second quarter.

In a first-round 1A playoff mismatch Oct. 27, Forreston put a running clock on Alden-Hebron in a 41-7 win.

The Cardinals capitalized on two A-H fumbles on kickoff returns to gain a 13-0 lead before the Giants even had an offensive possession.

“It was going to be a difficult task for us anyway, but those first two fumbles killed us,” A-H coach John Lalor said.

A-H did force Forreston into a fourth-and-three situation on the opening drive, but Kaleb Reining ran for eight yards. One play later, Tylor Henneman scored from 17-yards out and the rout was on.

After the next A-H fumble, Bryan Kraft had a 4-yard rushing touchdown after a quick 26-yard drive.

“Every week, we squib kick,” Forreston coach Denny Diduch said.

The Giants did force Forreston punts on its next two possession for a slight moral victory.

“Alden-Hebron wasn’t a pushover,” Diduch said. “They presented us with a spread, something we don’t see much.”

Midway through the second quarter, Forreston upped its lead to 27-0 on long touchdowns by Henneman and Kraft.

“They just kept on bringing fresh bodies in,” said Lalor, whose team only dresses eight juniors and seniors. “Plus, they run the no-huddle. When you have everyone playing both ways, it wears you down.”

Just before halftime, quarterback Brett Carlson and back-up quarterback Robert DeVries connected on a 28-touchdown pass, a rarity for the Cardinal offense, and a 34-0 lead.

On its longest drive of the game, the Cardinals went 82 yards in 15 plays to put the running clock in gear as the second half began. Kraft tacked on his third touchdown to get the running clock going.